United States flagNew Jersey, United States·+1

Newark, New Jersey

973 Area Code

Establish a trusted local presence in Newark, Paterson and northern New Jersey with a 973 area code number. Perfect for businesses seeking higher pickup rates and local credibility across transportation, insurance, healthcare and technology hubs.

Local Time
Network Status
Tier 1 Active

Get Your Local Phone Number Instantly

Phone NumberTypeFeaturesPriceBuy

Click Search to find available numbers.

About 973 Area Code

Area code 973 serves Newark, Paterson, Clifton and the northern portion of New Jersey. Introduced on June 1, 1997 as a split from the original 201 area code, 973 covers major population centers and suburban communities across Essex, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Hudson and Union counties. The code supports local voice and SMS-capable numbers used by insurance companies, logistics providers, healthcare institutions, tech startups and professional services throughout one of New Jersey's most economically significant regions.

The 973 region combines major insurance operations (Prudential Financial headquarters in Newark), port and airport logistics around Newark Liberty International Airport, diverse manufacturing in Paterson, and growing tech sector presence in Morris County. Businesses use 973 numbers for client communications, appointment scheduling, driver coordination and customer support. Local numbers perform better than toll-free alternatives because they signal proximity to NYC metro operations and established northern New Jersey communities that customers and partners trust.

FoneSwift displays live 973 inventory with Voice, SMS and MMS capabilities listed for each number. Filter by your required features to match business needs. Since 973 shares geography with the 862 overlay, availability remains strong despite the region's economic activity. If 973 numbers become limited, the 862 area code serves the identical geographic region, or nearby codes like 201, 551 or 908 provide strong New Jersey presence for metro NYC audiences.

If you serve customers in northern New Jersey or the greater NYC metro, display numbers in both local and international formats (e.g., (973) 555-1234 and +1 973 555 1234) on your website and marketing materials. Register messaging campaigns for A2P compliance if SMS outreach is part of your strategy. Porting is available when carriers support geographic transfers. Many businesses maintain existing 973 numbers because they're more established than the newer 862 overlay, preserving customer recognition and brand continuity in this competitive market.


CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
Area code973
Primary citiesNewark, Paterson, Clifton, Montclair
Counties servedEssex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Bergen
TimezoneAmerica/New York (EST)
CreatedJune 1, 1997
International Format+1 973 XXX XXXX
Local Format(973) XXX-XXXX

Ten-digit dialing is required for all calls in the 973/862 region. Register A2P messaging for business SMS to comply with U.S. carrier rules (10DLC).


Area code 973 uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting to EDT (UTC-4) from March to November.


Area code 973 is more established than the 862 overlay and may be preferable for businesses seeking name recognition. Local numbers deliver higher answer rates and local trust in the NYC metro area. The 862 area code serves the identical geographic region. If inventory becomes limited, nearby codes like 201, 551 or 908 provide strong New Jersey presence for tri-state audiences.

Quick Facts about 973 Area Code

Interesting tidbits about this area code 973

Split from original 201

Area code 973 was created on June 1, 1997 as a split from the historic 201 area code, which originally covered all of New Jersey when introduced in 1947.

Long-term solution

973 was intended as a long-term solution to number exhaustion in northern New Jersey, but growth was so rapid that the 862 overlay was added just four years later in 2001.

Insurance capital presence

Newark serves as home to Prudential Financial headquarters, making the 973 region a significant center for insurance, financial services and wealth management employment.

Revolutionary history

Morristown in the 973 region served as military headquarters for George Washington during the Revolutionary War, earning New Jersey its nickname "Crossroads of the Revolution."

Edison innovation legacy

Thomas Edison established his famous research laboratory at Menlo Park and West Orange within the 973 region, inventing the electric light bulb and phonograph here.

Most populous city

Newark is New Jersey's largest and most populous city, serving as a major transportation, business and cultural hub with direct PATH train connections to Manhattan.

Get your 973 phone number today

Instant activationNo credit card required14-day free trial
Get Your NumberNumbers available in 973 area code

How Does Local 973 Phone Numbers Work?

A local business number is a structured telephone identifier that tells networks where to route calls and messages. When you use a 973 number in Newark and New Jersey, the digits signal the international gateway, the geographic region, the local exchange and the specific subscriber, so calls reach the right destination quickly and reliably.

The typical parts of a United States local number are:

  • Country code (+1): identifies United States for international routing.
  • Area code (973): directs the call to the Newark / New Jersey region.
  • Central office / exchange (eg. 555): narrows the call to a local switching area or rate center.
  • Subscriber number (eg. 1234): the unique line assigned to a person, extension, or device.

Example formats:

International Format (E.164)+1 973 555 1234
Local Format (National)(973) 555-1234

Quick Dialing Guide

The correct formats to reach 973 numbers locally and globally.

From Landlines

Standard United States Format

Use for domestic long-distance calls within United States.

From Mobile

E.164 International

The universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.

International

From abroad

Dialing from outside United States (exit code 00 varies by country).


With FoneSwift, your 973 number can be instantly configured through our intuitive dashboard. Connect it to call forwarding rules, AI voice agents, IVR menus, or route calls directly to any device. Enable voice, SMS, and MMS capabilities right from your account, no technical setup required. Your number becomes active immediately after purchase, and you can update routing, business hours, and integrations anytime.

For businesses, local numbers offer clear benefits: higher answer rates, stronger local recognition, and better performance for local campaigns and customer trust. Typical business features include call forwarding, call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and multi-device ringing.

Important operational notes:

  • SMS & A2P: If you plan to send application-to-person messages from a 973 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
  • Number Porting: Bring your existing 973number to FoneSwift seamlessly. Our team handles the entire porting process, simply submit your number details and we'll coordinate with your current provider. Porting typically completes within 5-10 business days, and you'll receive updates at each step. There's no service interruption during the transfer.
  • Display & formatting: Always publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats so international and mobile users can easily dial.

Ready to get started? Browse available 973 numbers in the phone numbers section above, you'll see real-time availability and can filter by features like voice, SMS, and MMS. Once you find your perfect number, purchase it in seconds and start making calls immediately. Our team is here to help you choose the right setup for your business needs, whether you're setting up AI receptionists, call forwarding, or SMS campaigns. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.

How to Get a 973 Phone Number

Buying a local 973 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 973 phone number and start connecting with customers in United States today.

1

Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.

2

Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.

3

Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.

4

Choose United States as your country from the dropdown menu.

5

Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 973 area code from the available options.

6

Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.

7

Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.

8

Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.

9

You can configure your number to handle calls, forward calls, or even create an AI voice agent to handle the calls for you.

Businesses Using 973 Phone Numbers

Newark, Paterson and northern New Jersey support insurance, logistics, healthcare, technology and professional service sectors. Local phone numbers are widely used for client communications, patient outreach, supply chain coordination and customer service.

Insurance & financial services

Prudential Financial and other insurance companies rely on local numbers for client relations, claims processing and agent communications. A 973 number reinforces regional headquarters presence and builds trust with policyholders across the metro area.

Logistics & distribution

Port Newark, Newark airport operations and trucking companies use local numbers for driver coordination, shipment tracking and client communications. Local presence is critical for real-time logistics coordination and regional supply chain management.

Healthcare & medical centers

University Hospital in Newark, regional healthcare systems and medical practices use local numbers for appointment scheduling, patient reminders and telehealth services. A 973 area code improves patient recognition and reduces no-show rates.

Technology & IT services

Tech companies and IT services providers serving NYC metro clients use 973 numbers for customer support, sales outreach and technical assistance. Local presence builds credibility while maintaining lower operating costs than Manhattan locations.

Manufacturing & industrial

Paterson's historic manufacturing sector including textiles, electronics and food processing use local numbers for vendor coordination, B2B sales and supply chain management. Local presence strengthens regional business relationships.

Professional services

Law firms, accounting practices and consulting agencies serving NYC metro and New Jersey clients use 973 numbers to establish local credibility and bi-state professional presence across northern New Jersey.

Why Choose 973 Local Phone Number for Your Business?

Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.

Local Trust
A local phone number signals a nearby presence. Customers are more likely to answer and convert when they see a familiar code on caller ID.
Local Presence
Appear local in business listings and directories; a regional number increases relevance and attracts more nearby customers.
Higher Answer Rates
Local phone numbers generally receive higher answer and callback rates than toll-free lines, helping you connect with leads faster.
Two-Way SMS
Send and receive SMS/MMS using a regional number for appointment reminders, promotions, and customer support—improving engagement and delivery.
Campaign Tracking
Assign local numbers to specific campaigns or locations to track call sources, measure ROI, and optimize marketing by region.
Smart Routing
Leverage call routing, recording and analytics on local numbers to optimize staffing, monitor quality, and comply with regional telecom rules.

Nearby Area Codes

Explore other area codes in the same region to expand your local presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cities use the 973 area code?

The 973 area code covers Newark, Paterson, Clifton, Montclair, Morristown, Passaic and many communities across northern New Jersey in Essex, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties.

When was the 973 area code created?

Area code 973 was created on June 1, 1997 as a split from the original 201 area code to serve the northern portion of New Jersey.

Is 973 the same as 862?

Yes, 973 and 862 serve the exact same geographic area. 862 was introduced as an overlay in 2001, meaning both area codes cover identical regions but 862 provides additional number capacity.

Can I get SMS-capable numbers in area code 973?

Yes, FoneSwift lists live availability for 973 numbers that support Voice and SMS (inventory varies). Use the number search tool on this page to check current capabilities for each available number.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for 973 numbers?

Yes. Ten-digit dialing (area code plus seven-digit number) has been mandatory in the 973/862 region since the overlay was introduced in 2001 for all local calls.

Is 973 a toll-free code?

No, 973 is a geographic (local) area code for northern New Jersey. For national reach, toll-free numbers are available, but local numbers typically deliver higher pickup rates for regional audiences.

How do I buy a 973 local phone number?

Search for 973 numbers in the availability widget above, select capabilities (Voice/SMS/MMS), then complete checkout. You can configure call routing, IVR and integrations immediately after purchase.

Where can I find official coverage or history for 973?

Authoritative sources include the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) and the area codes 973 and 862 Wikipedia page for detailed history and service area boundaries.
100+ Businesses Already Using FoneSwift

Ready to Get Your Local Phone Number?

Start your 14-day free trial and get your area code 973 number activated in minutes. No credit card required.

Free migration assistance
Response within 24 hours
Volume discounts available